Bideford Devon EX39 1NG
Residential Trip Residentials South West
Located on the North Devon coastline, Skern Adventure Appledore offers a unique setting for residential school trips, with direct access to the Taw and Torridge Estuary, nearby beaches and the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere Reserve. This diverse natural environment provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor learning, adventure and fieldwork.Our residential programmes are carefully designed to balance on-site and off-site activities, giving students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of adventurous experiences, from watersports and coastal exploration to climbing, high ropes and team challenges. Every programme is tailored to your group, ensuring it meets your learning objectives and delivers real impact.
At Skern Adventure, learning and development sit at the heart of everything we do. Through shared challenge and real experience, pupils build confidence, resilience and teamwork in a safe, supportive environment where every individual is encouraged to succeed.
Our experienced and dedicated team provide high levels of care from arrival to departure, creating a well-organised and enjoyable experience for both staff and students. Many schools return year after year, valuing not just the activities and location, but the people who make each residential memorable.
Safe, supportive and full of opportunity - our residentials deliver unforgettable adventure and lasting impact.
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What activities are available during educational visits in 2026?
Skern Adventure Appledore offers a wide range of outdoor activities and fieldwork opportunities, designed to challenge, engage and inspire students of all ages. Set on the North Devon coastline, our programmes combine adventure, learning and personal development in a unique natural environment.
Students can take part in a variety of land and water-based activities, including kayaking, rafting, surfing, bodyboarding and power boating, alongside climbing, abseiling, high ropes, zip wire, archery and assault courses. Team challenges such as crate stacking, tunnels, problem solving and orienteering encourage collaboration, resilience and confidence, while activities like off-road cycling, coastal walks, expeditions and camp craft offer further opportunities to explore and develop new skills.
Our location also allows for unique experiences such as bridge or quay jumping, surf skiing, coastal exploration and crabbing, ensuring every programme is varied, exciting and memorable.
For older students, we offer curriculum-linked fieldwork for GCSE and A Level, including hydrology, coastal processes and geomorphology, sand dune and salt marsh ecosystems, rocky shore studies, and human geography topics such as rural and urban settlements, rebranding and crowded coasts.
For primary schools, Key Stage 2 programmes include seashore trails, Viking experiences, dark skies sessions and camp craft, designed to bring learning to life through hands-on exploration and adventure.
All activities are delivered by qualified, experienced instructors in a safe and supportive environment, with programmes tailored to your group's needs, learning objectives and abilities.
Students can take part in a variety of land and water-based activities, including kayaking, rafting, surfing, bodyboarding and power boating, alongside climbing, abseiling, high ropes, zip wire, archery and assault courses. Team challenges such as crate stacking, tunnels, problem solving and orienteering encourage collaboration, resilience and confidence, while activities like off-road cycling, coastal walks, expeditions and camp craft offer further opportunities to explore and develop new skills.
Our location also allows for unique experiences such as bridge or quay jumping, surf skiing, coastal exploration and crabbing, ensuring every programme is varied, exciting and memorable.
For older students, we offer curriculum-linked fieldwork for GCSE and A Level, including hydrology, coastal processes and geomorphology, sand dune and salt marsh ecosystems, rocky shore studies, and human geography topics such as rural and urban settlements, rebranding and crowded coasts.
For primary schools, Key Stage 2 programmes include seashore trails, Viking experiences, dark skies sessions and camp craft, designed to bring learning to life through hands-on exploration and adventure.
All activities are delivered by qualified, experienced instructors in a safe and supportive environment, with programmes tailored to your group's needs, learning objectives and abilities.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Physical Education
Climbing Canoeing Orienteering Archery Kayaking High Ropes Coasteering Zip Line
Skern Adventure Appledore provides outdoor physical education programmes for students from Key Stage 2 through to A Level, using the unique environments of the North Devon coastline to deliver engaging and active learning.
Our experienced instructors lead a wide range of land and water-based activities, including surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, rafting and paddleboarding, alongside climbing, abseiling, high ropes, zip wire, assault courses and archery. These sessions give students the opportunity to develop fitness, coordination and physical skills in real outdoor conditions, while also building confidence, resilience and teamwork.
By moving beyond the traditional sports field, our programmes allow pupils to succeed in different ways, encouraging participation, personal achievement and a positive attitude towards physical activity through fun, challenge and real adventure.
Watersports School Trip
SUP Stand Up Paddleboarding Kayaking Canoeing Raft Building Power Boating
Skern Adventure Appledore offers exceptional watersports experiences, with the tidal waters of the Taw and Torridge Estuary and the North Devon coastline right on our doorstep. This unique location provides the perfect environment for a wide range of water-based activities in both sheltered and open-water settings.
Students can take part in activities including kayaking, rafting, raft building, powerboating and paddle sports on the estuary, alongside surfing, bodyboarding and surf skiing at nearby Westward Ho! beach. These varied environments allow pupils to develop water confidence, technical skills and teamwork in real conditions.
Progressive sessions are available in key activities such as kayaking and surfing, enabling students to build skills over time and gain confidence through achievement and challenge. Led by experienced instructors, every session is delivered in a safe and supportive environment, creating exciting and memorable experiences on the water.
Fieldstudies
Sampling and Statistics Coastal Ecology Ecosystems Geology Rivers Towns and Cities Sustainability Mapping Landscape Management
Skern Adventure Appledore provides high-quality field studies for students from Key Stage 2 through to A Level, delivering engaging, curriculum-linked learning in real-world environments. Located within the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere Reserve, our centre offers access to a wide range of outstanding fieldwork locations, including Braunton Burrows, Westward Ho!, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
These diverse landscapes provide the ideal setting for students to carry out independent investigations, collect data and develop key geographical skills. Guided by experienced tutors, pupils explore physical and human geography topics through hands-on enquiry, building confidence in data collection, analysis and evaluation.
Whether supporting early fieldwork skills or advanced independent research, our programmes are designed to bring learning to life and create meaningful outcomes that extend beyond the classroom.
Outdoor Learning
What size groups do we cater for?
Skern Adventure Appledore can accommodate a wide range of group sizes, from small groups of around 6 participants through to large bookings that take over the entire centre.
With four accommodation blocks and capacity for up to 278 guests, we are well equipped to host everything from single classes to full year groups. Our flexible approach allows us to tailor programmes and accommodation to suit your group's size and needs, ensuring a comfortable and well-organised residential experience for all.
With four accommodation blocks and capacity for up to 278 guests, we are well equipped to host everything from single classes to full year groups. Our flexible approach allows us to tailor programmes and accommodation to suit your group's size and needs, ensuring a comfortable and well-organised residential experience for all.
On-site classroom facilities?
We have a number of classrooms and meeting rooms with white boards and projectors available.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes. All Skern Adventure Appledore instructional staff are fully first aid qualified, ensuring a safe and well-supported environment throughout your visit.
Our experienced team is trained to respond quickly and effectively, with the wellbeing of all participants at the heart of everything we do.
Our experienced team is trained to respond quickly and effectively, with the wellbeing of all participants at the heart of everything we do.
Access for visitors with disabilities
Yes. At Skern Adventure Appledore, we are committed to making our residential visits as inclusive and accessible as possible. Our centre is disability-friendly, with wheelchair access available in key areas.
Please let us know your specific requirements in advance, and our team will work with you to make appropriate adjustments to activities, accommodation and delivery. Our aim is to ensure every participant can take part, feel supported and enjoy their experience.
Please let us know your specific requirements in advance, and our team will work with you to make appropriate adjustments to activities, accommodation and delivery. Our aim is to ensure every participant can take part, feel supported and enjoy their experience.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
At Skern Adventure Appledore, we are committed to making our residential visits inclusive and accessible for all young people. We regularly work with both specialist SEN schools and mainstream groups, adapting our programmes to support a wide range of additional needs.
Our centre is disability-friendly, with wheelchair access available in key areas, and we work closely with schools to understand any specific access requirements in advance. This allows us to plan and make appropriate adjustments to activities, accommodation and delivery.
Our experienced team tailors each programme to suit the needs of the group, offering flexibility in pace and approach so that every pupil can take part in a way that is appropriate, comfortable and rewarding. Activities can be adapted where needed, and sessions are delivered using clear communication and supportive guidance to encourage confidence and engagement.
We can support a range of needs including autistic spectrum conditions, emotional and behavioural needs, general learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory impairments, physical and mobility needs, and social development.
Throughout the visit, we create a safe and supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to build confidence, develop independence and experience success through achievable challenge — ensuring a positive and meaningful residential experience for all.
Anything else?
Skern Adventure Appledore offers real adventure in a unique coastal setting, giving students the opportunity to experience a wide range of exciting activities. From surfing and bodyboarding at Westward Ho! to kayaking, rafting and powerboating on the River Torridge, alongside climbing and abseiling in the North Devon countryside, every activity is designed to challenge and inspire.
Our highly skilled and experienced instructors ensure that every individual is supported, encouraged and able to get the most from their experience. With a focus on confidence, teamwork and personal development, we create memorable outdoor learning experiences that have a lasting impact.
Our highly skilled and experienced instructors ensure that every individual is supported, encouraged and able to get the most from their experience. With a focus on confidence, teamwork and personal development, we create memorable outdoor learning experiences that have a lasting impact.
Who are Skern Adventure?
Skern Adventure Appledore provides fun, educational and developmental outdoor programmes for children and young people aged 4-18. From day visits to residential stays of 1-7 nights, we offer flexible experiences designed to suit your group's needs and availability.
We specialise in delivering high-quality adventure, activity and field studies programmes for schools from Key Stage 2 through to A Level. Every course is carefully designed in partnership with you, ensuring it supports your learning objectives while creating an engaging and enjoyable experience for your pupils.
Our experienced and friendly team are experts in outdoor learning, striking the right balance between challenge, encouragement and support. We create a safe, well-organised environment where every young person can build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy real adventure.
Whether visiting for a day or staying on a residential, you can be confident your trip will run smoothly, safely and leave a lasting impact.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge AALA Licence Institute of Outdoor Learning Adventure Mark Duke of Edinburgh Award Adventure Activity Associates RYA Centre Paddle UK Centre
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